This winter I'm finally going to get started on my '55 Century. I've got a 401 and ST400 Tranny all rebuilt and ready to drop in, but I need to make some major changes to the suspension to get the job done. The old '55 has a torque tube driveshaft, and it has to go to allow an open driveshaft tranny. The brakes are typical for '55. (They fade on long slopes and don't stop the 5400 lb. car like they should). Any suggestion from experienced suspension modifiers will be greatly appreciated. First the rear end . . . I was thinking a 9" Ford on a triangulated 4 link using the original springs. Any pitfalls that I might want to consider? I've looked at a few and it seems straight forward enough. I'm told that a Linconln Versailles disc brake rear end is the right width for my '55. So I'm looking for one. The front end is a whole 'nother problem. I can't find any disc brake conversions for the king-pin type front end. I was thinking about a custom Mustang II, but there again, I can only find one guy who's installed one in a '55 Buick, and he's 1600 miles from me, so I can't really pop in and take a look. There aren't many custom suspension shops way up here in the north country that want to take on such a custom job (at least not at any kind of reasonable price). I was quoted $8,000 by one shop. Guess the guy needed to pay for his winter vacation. Anyway . . . I'm looking for some help on this one. Thanks for the help Jim
Dis Brake Conversion Hi: I recently contacted and ordered a kit for my 56 Buick Special Wagon from Mike Pemberton in Nev. The message below was a response from him. I t explains the kit better than I could. I havent received mine yet, but it seems very promising. _________________________________________________________________ "I, as a hobbyist developed the first kit for my personal 57 Olds, as no one had a kit for my car. The word started to spread and I have slowly gotten conned into doing various years of Buicks and Oldsmobiles. The kit I provide allows you to install all stock GM parts off of one 4400lb "B" body Oldsmobile. All the parts suggested are stock and engineered to go together. I furnish the necessary brackets, spacers, pictures, instructions and a complete parts list with a suggested donor car if you want to use used parts.(not suggested). The rotors are 5x5 bolt pattern and are a full 12" size. This will convert your ball bearings to roller bearings, updated seals etc. No modifications to suspension parts or spindles. I have referrals if you wish. The owners of Danchuck Eng.(55-57 Chevy People) and Durex Power Steering have my kits on their personal street cars. The installation has a money back guarantee and as to date every kit sold is now on the road. The 55/56 Buick are the same. 57and 58 are completely different from each other and the 55/56 years. If you want to call; the # is toll free-- 510-501-6299. Can call up to 10:00 PM PST. The kits are $185.00 and can be paid for by personal check. mail to: Mike Pemberton, 963 Old Nevada Way, Gardnerville, Nevada. 89460. Thanks again for your interest. Mike Pemberton" _________________________________________________________________ Good Luck.. Jack
Thanks for the info nvr2fst. If you wouldn't mind, can you let me know how the kit looks? It sounds like a much easier solution than the whole new front end. Jim
Disc Brake Conversion Mike Pemberton sent my kit to me on Saturday. I should receive Tuesday or Wednesday. If I get it Tues I will post my impressions. If its Wed, it will have to wait until Sat, as I will be in Las Vegas the rest of the week attending the SEMA Show. Best Regards Jack
Disc Brake Conversion Received my kit the other day and I'm very pleased. It came with the brackets for the calipers and the adapters for the spindels. It comes with a complete step by step instruction sheet, with all the part numbers for each piece. This is a very complete document. It covers every aspect including which Power brake unit and master cyclinder to use. It also has a sheet with pictures showing how the calipers brackets look when mounted. This kit also converts the bearings from ball bearings to roller bearings. I beleive Mike's kit is a bargin, he states you can get alot of the parts from the local yard, but highly recommends using all new pieces. I hope this helps. Jack
